“Why is radiation incompatible with life? If this tenet is correct, nuclear power (both weapon and electricity-producing) should not be allowed to exist on this earth, as they produce radionuclides as their by-products.

We will look into this issue from a scientific standpoint.”

I. Introduction

Science has advanced since the beginning of 20th century, and led to the current atomic age. The discovery of nuclear fission reaction in 1938 led immediately to its use for a military purpose. The atomic bombs dropped on Japanese cities, Hiroshima and Nagasaki, flattened the two cities and killed several hundred thousands people instantaneously. Most of the cause of death was of non-radiation; extreme heat and the destructing shockwaves. However, many died also from the strong radiation effects, without incurring barn or physical injury. The nuclear fission reaction has since been applied to the “so-called” peaceful use, i.e., nuclear power to produce electricity. Both usages produce inevitably huge amounts of radioactive material as the byproducts. The radiation from these sources predominate now the radiation background of the earth. The radioactive materials have so far released to the surface of the earth through the atomic bomb explosions, tests of nuclear weapons, accidents of nuclear facilities including those of Chernobyl in Ukraine, Three mile island in Pennsylvania in USA, Fukushima in Japan, and some nuclear submarines, and, also from the routine release from the nuclear facilities.

The Chernobyl accident in 1986 affected and killed many people, but the damaged reactor No.4 has not been fixed and has been in a sarcophagus to prevent further release of radioactive material. The sarcophagus, however, has been deteriorated after thirty years, and now is covered with another huge dome. The people affected are still suffering from many health problems thirty years later.